KDHE ISSUES FINAL BLUE-GREEN ALGAE UPDATE FOR YEAR

November 9, 2011Logan City Lake in Phillips County no longer listed; no more testing scheduledTOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has determined that the toxic level of blue-green algae at Logan City Lake in Phillips County has subsided, and the lake is no longer under a blue-green algae Warning or Advisory.

Only one lake, Memorial Park Lake at Great Bend, has blue-green algae populations above minimum public safety levels; however, that lake has a chronically-elevated level of blue-green algae, and it remains under a Warning until further notice. Under the circumstances, KDHE has concluded testing for the year. No state and federal lakes are under any warnings or advisories.

KDHE samples recreational bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency is alerted to a potential algae bloom. When harmful algae blooms are present, KDHE, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), responds by informing the public of these conditions. Since testing has concluded, KDWPT will not issue additional blue-green algae news releases this year unless KDHE determines that conditions warrant it.

Information on algae and algae blooms, including up-to-date Advisories and Warnings, can be found at online at www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.-30-